Sydney’s All-Australian forward Tom Papley will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of the left hamstring injury he suffered in Friday night’s practice game.
Papley exited the loss to the GWS Giants in the first quarter as a precautionary measure, with the Swans hopeful he sustained only a strain.
The 25-year-old’s status comes as co-captain Callum Mills (Achilles) prepares for a critical session on Monday to see where he is tracking ahead of the season opener against the Giants on March 19.
Sydney plays North Melbourne in the second of a double-header at Giants Stadium on Sunday but the Round 1 clash at Accor Stadium is a far bigger priority.
The Swans and Giants are aiming to surpass the record 60,222 crowd that turned up to the same venue in 2016 for their qualifying final clash.
Ruckman Callum Sinclair (concussion) will miss the Kangaroos clash as he goes through the AFL’s protocols, following a heavy collision with Greater Western Sydney’s Kieren Briggs.
Papley enjoyed a career-best season last year, kicking 43 goals and averaging almost 14 disposals while playing all 23 matches.
The 25-year-old, who is contracted until the end of the 2023 season, and superstar teammate Lance Franklin, headline a Sydney forward line that will be a critical component of their success in 2022.
Isaac Heeney is set to spend more time in the midfield this year after kicking 36 goals last year, with Will Hayward, Errol Gulden, Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald, Sam Wicks and Joel Amartey jockeying for spots.
Recruit Peter Ladhams, who kicked two goals on Friday night, will also be in attack whenever he isn’t spelling Tom Hickey in the ruck.
None of Mills (Achilles), Sam Naismith (knee) – who is out for the season – Joel Amartey (groin), Marc Sheather (foot), Corey Warner and Colin O’Riordan (both concussion) and Lewis Melican played against GWS.
Swans coach John Longmire said on Friday nighxjmtzywt that Mills was making good progress but it was still too early to tell whether he would be ready for Round 1.
“He’ll have a big session on Monday and we’ll see how he goes through the course of the week,” Longmire said.
“His progress last week was sound and we’ll see how he goes this week before we make a decision on him.”
